Cross the Bridge - November 28, 2015

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Let your hands be strong, You who have been hearing in these days These words by the mouth of the prophets, Who spoke in the day the foundation was laid For the house of the LORD of hosts, That the temple might be built."
NKJV

When the world is looking for strength, they often seek out professional athletes or well known CEOs who exhibit power and endurance. These men and women work hard to push through and accomplish their goals. Granted we can learn from those who have done these things, yet God points us in a different direction when we are looking for strength. In Zechariah 8, God tells Israel to "let your hands be strong," but He does not just leave it at that. He points them to the source of their power.

"These words by the mouth of the prophets,"

God, in essence, is telling Israel to be strong because He has spoken promises over His people that can be trusted. When they face difficulty in rebuilding the temple or face trials from other nations, they can be strong because God said that He would one day bless them in a mighty way. This is great for Israel to hear, and yet this Truth is the same for us. Throughout the Scriptures, God has spoken promises over us. Each one can be held on to with complete confidence that it will come to pass, because they are the words of a God who cannot lie. These promises from God are to be trusted above our emotions, above our circumstances and above the wisdom of the world. These words from the Lord will drastically change our lives - if we believe them with all our heart and trust in the One who spoke them.

Life Lesson: Our strength is found in the Word of God.

Dear God,
I praise You today for the power of Your Word to change my life. Thank You for the promises of Scripture that are for my good. Thank You for the corrections in the Bible that help me to become more like Jesus. Teach me to trust in each one more and more each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.